JOHN J. WILLIAMS

The professional men of the race in West Virginia have been largely
recruited from the States of the South, especially, Virginia and
the Carolinas. Occasionally, however, one finds a British West
Indian.

Their faultless English contrasts strikingly with the Negro
dialect of the States. In manner they are usually more British than
American and a certain air of thoroughness which must come from
their schools, sometimes creates the impression that there may be a
feeling of superiority. One has only to know them personally,
however, and get their point of view, to understand how gladly they
enter into the business, social and religious life of their
respective communities.

Here we tell the story of one of these British West Indians, who
hails from the Island of Jamaica. Dr. John James Williams, of
Clarksburg, W. Va., was born in Jamaica on September 8, 1886. His
father, Rev. Henry Williams was a Wesleyan (Methodist) preacher;
his mother, before her marriage, was Ann Williams.

Young Williams laid the foundation of his education in the
government schools of his native island, which corresponds to our
graded and high schools. After that he had two years in college. He
was more or less active in athletics which takes the form of
cricket rather than baseball or football at the American
College.

He came to the States in 1906. For his medical course, he
matriculated at the School of Medicine of Howard University where
he won his M.D. degree in 1912. In the fall of the same year he
visited his old home and in December located at Panama where he
practiced for five years. Here he did a general practice in a mixed
multitude of races. He was medical examiner for the British
Government at Panama during 1917.

In 1918, he returned to the States and located at Clarksburg
where he has since resided, and has built a good general practice.
Retaining his British citizenship, he takes no active part in
American politics. In religion he is a Methodist. His secret order
and benevolent society affiliations are with the Masons, Pythians,
Odd Fellows, Elks and American Order of Foresters. He is medical
examiner for the colored public schools of Clarksburg. He is also
examiner for the National Benefit Life Insurance Company, and the
Supreme Life and Casualty Company.